Davie Backs `A Way Home'

Project Intended To Cut Homelessness

Davie — The Town Council recently voted to endorse the county's plan to reduce homelessness.

Acting Town Administrator Ken Cohen said the county is participating in a nationwide campaign. The local effort has been dubbed "A Way Home."

"Broward County is one of the few counties in the nation with a recurring dedicated funding source for homeless services," Cohen said. "For over a year, over 70 agencies have worked in a collaborative effort to develop this plan. An implementation committee is being established to involve all levels of government, as well as non-governmental entities."

The plan includes adding 1,200 new units of "permanent supportive housing," two-thirds of which would be targeted to the chronic homeless, outreach and treatment efforts, and more.

Though town officials signed off, there were reservations.

"We recognize the importance of the issue, but there were some things we did not like," said Mayor Tom Truex. "We don't want to raise taxes ... [and] I don't agree with the idea of a living wage because this means raising the minimum wage."

Councilwoman Susan Starkey said the issue is an important one to address.

"Homelessness is a major problem in Broward County, and right now we are working with hundreds of homeless people living in travel trailers," she said. "We have a problem because of the economy, the housing shortage and the active hurricane season. This puts South Florida in a vulnerable position."

She added that the burden should be shared equally by Broward municipalities.

"The county has asked us to look at adding affordable housing to any new developments," Starkey said. "Other cities in the county should do so also."

Adding to the town's affordable housing crunch is the Seminole Tribe of Florida's purchase of the Stirling Road Mobile Home Park. The tribe will build homes on the land for its members, and current residents will be displaced.

"Nothing is being done to help these folks relocate," Truex said. "None of the mobile home residents own the land under their trailers, and now they have no place to put their mobile homes."

Starkey also is concerned about the situation.

"We need to have an exit plan for them," she said. "There is not much low-income housing available, and we need to work out a plan for these families."